2020 R1250RS 12k post-service test ride - The Smoaks VLOGs

[Grumpy Goat]

Not sure who watch The Smoak's Vlogs but Shawn Smoak is a BMW Technician who works on BMWs and other powersports machines and makes videos as well. I typically find his videos interesting (depending on the vehicle featured in the video) and like it when he passes on information that would be useful as I work on my own bikes. Not many actual mechanics (of bikes I am interested in) make videos for YouTube.

In this video he is test riding a 2020 BMW R1250RS after performing a 12k service (so no actual video of him working on the bike) and shares some thoughts, starting at 9:05:

• GS / GSA / R - tend to be spunkier / livelier due to tuning and/or lighter flywheel effect than RT / RS which tend to be a little mellower due to their touring intent
  
• Risers on the bike raise and push the handlebars back; he prefers them lower as they fit the sporty nature of the bike. He was not criticizing the fitting of the risers just stating his preference, and personally I agree for the vey same reason. Of course the risers may have been fitted by the owner for comfort and one can't argue with that.
  
• Although he did not mention it, the windscreen was also likely fitted for a similar reason, although to me it detracts from the looks of the sporty bike.
  
• Handguards bump the mirrors every time the bars are turned to a full lock. Didn't realise that. That would irritate me to the moon as I *hate* my mirrors being moved. Besides *to me* on the RS they are fugly, but I have them on the Tracer and not only are they good looking by design, they are functional.
  
• I noted that the owner fitted a cramp-buster on the throttle grip ... that is usually fitted on bikes with no cruise control, which this bike has. Weird.
  
• Shawn commented on the oils removed, including the typical condition of the first final drive oil, which tends to be especially black due to the addition of moly from the factory. With the expectation of clearer / cleaner oil on subsequent oil changes he was surprised that it was still nasty at the second final drive oil change on this bike. IIRC mine was also darkish on the second (not as dark as the first) but not as bad as he makes it sound. I will have to check in about 1.5k when I do my 60k service.
  

[Lee]

He makes it sound like the RS and RT has a different engine than the R and GS/GSA.
I thought the only difference in any of the Wetheads is the gearing for the GS/GSA.

[MrVvrroomm]

He makes it sound like the RS and RT has a different engine than the R and GS/GSA.
I thought the only difference in any of the Wetheads is the gearing for the GS/GSA.

Final drive gearing is the only difference.  Motors are identical.

[runnerhiker]

It's difficult to escape the placebo effect, commenting on engine differences among the 1250 boxers.

[Duccrazydave]

He makes it sound like the RS and RT has a different engine than the R and GS/GSA.
I thought the only difference in any of the Wetheads is the gearing for the GS/GSA.

Final drive gearing is the only difference.  Motors are identical.

And what a difference that can make! I've shuffled final drive ratio (37 to 39 tooth rear sprocket) on my '92 Ducati and that completely changed the riding dynamic and engine personality. More "unicycling" down low , but with a busy feel at highway speeds, due to the elevated rpm's.